ASIAN CLUB BUSINESS E-BULLETIN #24

OFFICIAL MAGAZINE FOR CLUB MANAGERS ASSOCIATION OF :

Special Feature

October 8 – 11, 2015 Club of Korea www.presidentscup.com

Jay Haas the captain of the team (l) and of Zimbabwe The International Team Captain (r) pose with the trophy during the Captains Press Conference held at the Trump National Resort.

By James Graham Prusa and Kim Jin THE : Preparation of the Jack Nicklaus of Korea

The Presidents Cup will be played on Asian soil for the first time this October and the host country, is going all out to make it a major sporting spectacle. The Presidents Cup started over twenty years ago as a team competition between an International Team of non-Europeans and an American team who battle for the coveted possession of the prestigious 24-carat gold cup trophy created by Tiffany of New York. The team players all volunteer their participation without personal gain or any prize money with the winning team having the honour to allocate millions of dollars to their designated charities worldwide. Such volunteerism is a historic tradition in golf and a pillar of the Presidents Cup. Asian Golf commissioned its international roving editor James Graham Prusa, assisted by Kim Jin to produce a preview on how Korea is Continued on Next Page preparing for this historic battle. The following is their report: ASIAN CLUB BUSINESS E-BULLETIN #24

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K.J. Choi

K.J. Choi, unarguably the greatest on the nation of Korea’s success as designated charities worldwide. golfer to thus far rise from Asia, the apex of sports for a week. Such volunteerism is an historic personally likens the capturing of tradition in golf and a pillar of the this year’s Presidents Cup venue for The Presidents Cup was started Presidents Cup. However, public Korea and Asia as “a miracle.” over twenty years ago as a unique volunteer actions are generally team competition between uncommon in North Asia. Miracle or honor well earned, the an International Team of non- Jack Nicklaus Golf Club of Korea Europeans and a USA team who vie Acts of volunteerism done in (JNGCK) in Songdo International for the coveted possession of the the public view are avoided in Business District, Incheon City, vermeil in 24-carat gold cup trophy Confucian and Buddhist societies Korea, will play host and be on golf’s created by Tifany of New York. for cultural reasons. Confucianism world stage later this year. is promotes societal order and one The team players all volunteer their is expected to stay in an assigned The 2015 Presidents Cup will participation without personal social place, company or workplace. capture and hold the world’s gain or any prize money with the attention from October 8th through winning team having the honor to It is thought that by volunteering the 11th placing a magnifed focus allocate millions of dollars to their out of your group’s order, one’s ASIAN CLUB BUSINESS E-BULLETIN #24

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"The 2015 Presidents Cup will see Korean pummashi volunteers at many levels including support from some thirty (30) staff professionals who will assist the JNGCK Golf Course Superintendent, Yoon Kyung Ho. These course team support volunteers will include mechanics from Bernhard Equipment and Toro B-Ray." Jack Nicklaus Golf Club of Korea motivation is suspect of seeking around the world. Major champion of golf in Korea.” self-serving reward or gaining golfer KJ Choi suggests that for the someone’s obligate. Being seen golf business, Korean people must The 2015 Presidents Cup will see doing altruistic deeds publically is remember their history and the Korean pummashi volunteers at simply shunned. deep traditions of ‘pummashi’ many levels including support from ( 품앗이 ) in the nation’s culture – some thirty (30) golf course staf Doing good deeds anonymously, a sharing of communal labor and professionals who will assist the privately or secretly is viewed most helping neighbors for the common JNGCK Golf Course Superintendent, honorably though and Buddhists good during important events such Yoon Kyung Ho. These course prefer rewards for good deeds in as planting and harvesting times. team support volunteers will the afterlife rather than immediate, include mechanics from Bernhard worldly appreciation. For internationally televised and Toro B-Ray. events that draw much focus on Yet, it is a reality that televised Korea, everyone has an obligation Korean golf course superintendents golf championships, the tours and to volunteer to help achieve success. from neighboring competitor golf organizations could not exist in Speaking with the wisdom of an courses and throughout the nation Western cultures without masses experienced sage, Choi states of Korea will also show pummashi of volunteers and it is why golf in emphatically that, “We really need as they will assist with everyday occidental nations is the greatest to bring back traditional pummashi setup of the golf course from hand sports contributor to charities for growing the game and business watering to raking sand bunkers. ASIAN CLUB BUSINESS E-BULLETIN #24

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All volunteer are welcomed, but must have at least seven years of experience in golf course management.

Superintendent Yoon is a seasoned, professional superintendent who has been in charge of the JNGCK golf course since it opened in 2010. He is working closely with Jay Sporl, a senior PGA Tour Agronomist, who is well experienced with preparing previous Presidents Cup courses and hundreds of PGA Tour events.

Sporl and Yoon worked together on two previous Champions Tour events at the venue and have forged an efective, international relationship that has guided the course preparation since 2013. They’ve managed the recent design adjustments and reestablishment of the grasses.

Yoon confesses that the most difcult aspect of preparing the JNGCK course is dealing with the wear on the course. He explained, “Heavy rounds of play everyday is customary in Korea and it’s the number 1 challenge to deal with. We have to address the wear on the playing surfaces and it’s also difcult to get the necessary work done in between all the golfers.

“While we have hosted the Champions Tour and events from other tours at our club, the Presidents Cup demands so much more advanced work. Due to the world’s television and media focus for the Presidents Cup on Korea, we’ll all have zero tolerance for any blemishes on the golf course.”

For Yoon the greatest challenge to manage the cool season creeping bents and fescues of the JNGCK in the remaining time before the Presidents Cup will be the notorious Korean summer. He now faces the ’60- days of hell’ period beginning in July with the typically ASIAN CLUB BUSINESS E-BULLETIN #24

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tropical heat and non-stop, rainy season driven by the According to Sporl, “Many of the greens had their southwestern monsoon that sweeps across Asia from contours softly adjusted, but we placed the grass sod the Indian Ocean. back in the exact same pattern and orientation where removed. We also made many landscaping changes Sporl is quick to show his respect and support for Yoon, with some 200 trees changed, replaced or eliminated. “I’m confdent that Mr. Yoon will be successful in getting There was a substantial net reduction of 2 hectares through the summer and having the course in peak of cultivated turfgrass and some 20,000 shrubs were condition by October. removed all resulting in reinforcing a traditional open appearance for this golf course. One of his great strengths is his ability to use a microscope that he keeps in his ofce to immediately “We removed one fairway bunker, but added seven new diagnose any turfgrass disease without any delays. ones. By removing areas of creeping bentgrass and This allows him to instantly implement appropriate planting fescues we adjusted the fairway perimeters treatments and it will help him get the course through more narrowly. Fairways were 40-50 yards wide as the difcult rainy season in Korea. preferred by some members, but they still are wider than the usual width for PGA Tour events of 25-27 yards. ”Eforts to prep the golf course began in earnest in 2013 We’ve added two new to lengthen the course to when the PGA Tour Design team, headed by designer over 7,400 yards – it will be a long haul in the warm and Steve Wenzlof, implemented some courses changes heavy October air at sea level.“ and re-contouring of greens collaboratively with Jack Nicklaus and the club. I’m constantly reminding myself that the city was built

“I’m confident that Mr. Yoon will be successful in getting through the summer and having the course in peak condition by October. One of his great strengths is his ability to use a microscope that he keeps in his office to immediately diagnose any turfgrass disease without any delays. This allows him to instantly implement appropriate treatments and it will help him get the course through the difficult rainy season in Korea." – Jay Sporl, Senior PGA Tour Agronomist ASIAN CLUB BUSINESS E-BULLETIN #24

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on a massive landfll reclaimed from Incheon Bay. So I “Jack Nicklaus designed bunkers can be scary, but those always remain cautious agronomically, because we are at JNGCK are more subdued. And when you putt the growing turfgrass on a 15-20 inch sand cap covering the ball on greens of most Nicklaus’ courses the ball can salty muck fll that was dredged from the sea to create readily roll left or right if it’s stroked slightly of line, these grounds.” but the JNGCK greens were diferent due to the hefty undulations. The PGA Tour needed a little softening of KJ Choi points out, “The Jack Nicklaus Golf Club of the severity for the Presidents Cup to which the club Korea course is designed in a links fashion. It’s wide and Jack agreed. and open with great views all around, but when playing there are many optional strategies. You have to think “The Presidents Cup players will need to make a good, much about how to avoid the difculties before you. high shot and must be able to stop the ball on the Just like in life. Good thinking and controlled golf shot top of frm greens. If they can’t do this, then the ball management is required with every stroke. will bounce of the green. While the JNGCK is located adjacent to the sea, at that time of year in October the “When they frst built the golf course I asked my Uncle conditions will be dry and the greens will be especially Nicklaus ‘why did you design so many undulations into frm. That's why the players will need to consider a high the greens?’ In response to my questions Jack told shot approach strategy to control and stop the ball. me he designed the original greens’ undulations in response to the owners request for this. He also has “Having played the course I think that the small to keep his design customers happy and many Korean adjustments by the PGA Tour to prepare the course for members expect tough greens. the Presidents Cup are quite good.”

"The Jack Nicklaus Golf Club of Korea course is designed in a links fashion. It’s wide and open with great views all around, but when playing there are many optional strategies. You have to think much about how to avoid the difficulties before you. Just like in life. Good thinking and controlled golf shot management is required with every stroke." – K.J. Choi ASIAN CLUB BUSINESS E-BULLETIN #24

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Just how important is the Presidents much interest in the Presidents Cup demonstrated world-class resources Cup for Korea and Asia? KJ Choi is here in Korea – and I have much to produce the highest level of emphatic in explaining how golf is confdence that this high interest golf course championship playing boosted in Asia. As he describes is also translating throughout all conditions,“ Yoon declared. it, “I have two fne Chinese friends of Asia. The Presidents Cup is an who had no experience at golf, but historical frst for all of Asia. We’re During an interview at the 2015 they watched me on the PGA Tour proud that Korea got it – even SK Telecom Open in May, KJ Choi several years ago. After I won a did not get the prize of was emphatic that it is critically major and saw the benefts to Asia, this inaugural appearance of the important for Korean golf course they went out and invested a large Presidents Cup for all of Asia! Korea superintendents to be able to sum in USA broadcasting for golf. is now widely perceived as the provide PGA Tour level conditions

These occurrences, such as an Asian center of Asia for hosting of the so that young Korean players can winning a championship or the Presidents Cup.” develop their competitive skills to Presidents Cup, create an immediate the highest level before they try connection and desire for Asian JNGCK Superintendent Yoon also Tour events in or North people to seek golf participation. sees another importance in this America. “I have played at SKY72 Having the Presidents Cup in Korea year’s Presidents Cup. “It shows the for several years and could feel the is a miracle for Asia. progress and achievement by golf course conditioning improving course superintendents in Korea to world-class conditioning. For “Hosting the Presidents Cup here in and also for Asia. By bringing the example, today Ocean Course Korea will lift golf even higher and Presidents Cup here the PGA Tour greens conditions are too good! Not promote the golf business. I fnd is obviously confdent that Asia has the average conditions in Korea. ASIAN CLUB BUSINESS E-BULLETIN #24

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The greens this week on Ocean medium-level experience. That’s Presidents Cup experience is also a Course could be moved to the why future great players can only motivation for other golf courses to British Open.” get high-level experience with improve their conditioning. course conditions like this week at Choi continued to speak of SKY72. We need more high-level “The Korean ideal expectation level the importance of golf course conditioned courses by Korean by golfers, TV, newspapers and the superintendents for developing superintendents to develop new golf industry is for expecting top

champion players, “For young world-class Korean players. quality all around, but in reality we players in Korea, getting experience still have some room to improve. on these SK Telecom greens “Just because a country wants a And in Korea, golf’s image still prepares them to compete on the Presidents Cup event does not has pressure from the public and best competition courses in both mean they can easily get it. To get pushes us down from the outside. Europe and North America. So a Presidents Cup a country must The Presidents Cup helps us to gain they learn here in Korea about demonstrate that it has the ability to more experience for everyone and how to play at the highest-level provide the highest-level golf course to promote a good image for the conditioned greens without having conditions. Throughout Korea we game of golf and the golf industry.” to travel abroad. When course now have the necessary skills and KJ Choi passionately concluded, conditions are just ‘medium,’ a human resources to provide such “With the Presidents Cup in Korea high-level player can still only get championship conditioning. This we can all be proud. Afterwards ASIAN CLUB BUSINESS E-BULLETIN #24

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“With the Presidents Cup in Korea we can all be proud. Afterwards it will have a good impact all throughout Asia. It’s my hope.” – K.J. Choi

it will have a good impact all The PGA Tour players attending Nicklaus Design, SKY72 Ocean throughout Asia. It’s my hope.” the Presidents Cup will be departing Course. Korea just as the LPGA Tour players Like a rare planetary alignment, are arriving at the ICN Airport October 2015 is shaping up to be many of the top men and women for their regular tour stop. The nothing short of an international golfers in the world along with week immediately following the golf extravaganza placing Korea international sports media, sponsors Presidents Cup will see the best center stage in Asia. and the leading golf organizations women golfers in the world fying will briefy converge and cross paths into Incheon for the LPGA KEB It just doesn’t create more attention this October in Korea. HanaBank Championship at the for golf than this. With slightly over three months to go, the following players are the most likely to make the International team:

Adam Scott

Branden Grace Byeong-Hun An Socialize with Asia Pacifc Golf Group

PUBLISHER/EDITOR: MIKE SEBASTIAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: ANGELA RAYMOND ART DIRECTOR: SAIFUL SUFIAN FINANCE: MYRA PARAS MARKETING EXECUTIVE: ALICE HO PUBLISHED BY: ASIA PACIFIC GOLF GROUP (2014) PTE LTD EMAIL: [email protected] CLUB MANAGERS ASSOCIATION OF ASIA: PRESIDENT: MIKE SEBASTIAN DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION: LAWRENCE YOUNG OFFICIAL WEBSITES: WWW.ASIAPACIFICGOLFGROUP.COM | WWW.CMAA-ASIA.COM | WWW.GOLFCONFERENCE.ORG | WWW.ASIANJUNIORGOLFFOUNDATION.COM OFFICE ADDRESS: SUITE 06-06, HONG AIK BUILDING, 22 KALLANG AVENUE, SINGAPORE 339413 TEL: +65-6323 2800 FAX: + 65-6323 2838

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